Ideas & Inspiration

Introduce yourself to a neighbor you don't know

Start a conversation with a vendor at the farmer's market

Start a conversation in the grocery store line

Make small talk with someone you see often but rarely talk to

Ask someone you know relatively well to tell you more about themselves

Welcome a new neighbor with a note, treat, or small introduction

Invite someone to join you for a walk

Sit with someone new at a community event

Ask a longtime resident to tell you something they love about the neighborhood

Introduce two neighbors who might enjoy knowing each other

Introduce a young person to someone you know who works in a field they're interested in

Learn and use neighbors' names

Ask neighbors about their interests and hobbies

Say hello to people you see during dog walks, school drop-offs, or in public spaces

Live in an apartment or shared space? Maintain a puzzle or board game in a common area

Invite someone you only know digitally to join you for an in-person activity

Create a group chat for sharing local updates and recommendations

Share a cheesy "Dad Joke" to make someone smile

Put your neighbor's trash cans away

Help a neighbor with repairs or maintenance tasks such as cleaning out gutters, removing brush or clutter, weeding the garden

Wash and/or vacuum a family member's car

Walk your neighbor's dog

Water plants, collect mail, or pet sit while your neighbor is on vacation

Mow your neighbor's lawn, with permission

Shovel or sweep a neighbor's walkway

Bring in a package left on a neighbor's porch

Help carry groceries or heavy items

Offer to drive someone to an appointment or errand

Help a neighbor troubleshoot a simple household or technology problem

Check in before/during/after extreme weather events

Offer to research community resources for someone in need

Carry a small "emergency kit" and offer help when needed – a safety pin or Band-Aid

Place a coin or two in an expired parking meter

Visit an elderly neighbor

Invite a neighborhood child who isn't often included over to play

Visit a nearby retirement community

Compliment a neighbor on their home or yard

Make an effort to engage in "active listening" the next time you're talking with a family member or friend

Post an encouraging note to someone's social media feed

Check in on someone who has been grieving, sick, or under stress

Send a simple "thinking of you" text or card

Invite someone who lives alone to join you for a holiday or special meal

Listen without trying to fix anything

Remember an anniversary, birthday, or hard date for someone

Send a handwritten note instead of a digital one

Acknowledge and celebrate successes (graduation, new job, performance, etc)

Take a baked good to a neighbor

Make a special meal for someone you live with

Invite someone over for a meal

Host a dinner party

Offer extra garden produce to a neighbor

Drop off snacks or canned goods at a food pantry, shelter, or neighborhood "share box"

Bring soup or dinner to someone going through a hard week

Host a casual porch night, cocoa night, or lemonade stand

Share a favorite recipe with a neighbor

Invite someone to sit with you at a public event

Organize a neighborhood potluck

Host a game night or outdoor movie evening

Celebrate roots by sharing traditions, foods, or music

Loan something to a neighbor

Ask to borrow something from a neighbor

List unwanted items for free on a local "Buy Nothing" Facebook page

Donate items to a local resale shop

If your local library has one, borrow something from the "library of things"

Restock an existing "free library" or "free pantry" box

Create a small neighborhood "free library" or "free pantry" box

Offer to share tools, garden supplies, or extra seeds

Pass along children's clothes, toys, or books

Offer extra moving boxes, packing supplies, or storage bins

Share a recommendation for a trusted local repair person, babysitter, or service provider

Donate blood

Pick up litter on your street

Pick up litter in the park or on a trail

Plant some flowers in a shared neighborhood space

Clean up an empty lot

Volunteer at a community garden plot

Weed around a shared sign, sidewalk, or common area

Plant bulbs where neighbors will see them in spring

Rake leaves from a storm drain

Report a broken streetlight, dangerous sidewalk, or pothole

Help maintain a little free library, community board, or trailhead area

Attend a town festival, parade, or seasonal celebration

Join a community class, walking group, book club, or garden club

Participate in an interfaith activity

Organize a block party

Attend a neighborhood association meeting

Attend a community meeting

Shop at a local business

Attend an event at your local library

Utilize a shared community maker space

Participate in an open mic night at a local cafe

Support a local band or artist by attending a concert

Attend a city council meeting and thank the council members for their service

Attend a school concert, play, game, or fundraiser

Visit a local museum, historical society, or community exhibit

Volunteer at a food pantry, community supper, or clothing closet

Vote in a local election

Attend a public lecture, author event, or local history program

Coordinate a neighborhood yard sale or swap event

Make care packages for a local shelter or food pantry

Look a cashier or shop attendant in the eye and thank them for their help

Offer a cold drink to your mail carrier

Write a thank you note to someone who regularly serves you

Join a community Facebook group and post positive, grateful thoughts about your community

Post a note of gratitude to someone's social media feed

Review a local business on Google or Yelp and offer sincere praise and thanks

Write a note to an elected official offering praise and encouragement

Thank a teacher, coach, librarian, crossing guard, or bus driver

Leave a positive note for a neighbor who keeps a beautiful garden

Send a thank-you email to someone who organized a community event

Publicly praise a volunteer group, nonprofit, or civic worker

Compliment a local business employee to their manager

Make an extra effort to obey slow speed limits in your neighborhood

Let someone go ahead of you in line

Return a stray shopping cart

Hold the door and make eye contact

Be patient with a new employee or trainee

Wave to neighbors, walkers, delivery drivers, and road workers

Keep sidewalks clear of snow, leaves, toys, or trash

Turn down loud music or outdoor noise out of consideration for neighbors

Volunteer to help instead of waiting to be asked (distribute handouts, hold a door, pick up a mess)